What is the best shotgun barrel length for clay target shooting.?
If I wanted to shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays. What would be the best barrel length for a over/ under shotgun.
Tagged with: shotgun • sporting clays • trap skeet
Filed under: best shotgun
The problem hear is everyone has a different oppinion and the reason for this is because were all different and all fome different countrys ect.
As an english clay shooter i would say to you it would depend on the Dicaplin that you inten to shoot, The 12 is the more commonly chosen gun for clays and different leanght barrels play different parts.
Since i dont know where you are i wount go too much into british clay shooting/dicaplins.
For sporting then a 28" to 30" barrel its entirley your own perogative and can depend on you stature, the longer barrel will reduce the recoil and at the same time increas your swing making you move through the target quicker,,, sporting guns genraly have interchangebal chokes called multichokes.
For the likes of trap,Dtl etc then moust would go for a 32" fixed choke of about full and 3quater trap guns genraly shoot higher and can be a good choice of gun when shooting pigeons from a hide
When it comes to skeet i have no preferance, Open chokes and a way you go.
I shoot a berreta 30" sporter and shoot moust dicaplins with it as well as game, wildfowl, pigeons etc,, There is a saying over hear in Britan ,, Be scared of the man with the one gun,,,,,
meaning chances are he can use it quite affectifley on anything.
I notice there is always someone who gives the thumb down for the better answers, whats up with you are we far more knowledgeble than you would like to be,
The most popular barrel length is 28 inches.
If you’re doing trap and sporting in addition to skeet, 30" or 32", over/under.
Get one with changeable chokes, and leave the 26" and 28" on the shelf.
Trap guns as a rule are 30"+ for the sight plane, as are most sporting clays guns. Skeet is anywhere from 26-30" on the usual. Best to get the longer one and have it for trap where you need the extra sight plane.
A longer barrel gives you a longer sighting plane and also helps you swing through the target. Make sure you follow through after you pull the trigger. I use the same guns for trap, skeet, 5 stand and sporting clays that I use to hunt quail and pheasant with. My 12 and 20 O/U shotguns have 26" bbls. A little lighter for carrying hunting but still OK for shooting clay targets. 28" bbls. might be a little better for clays but I decided to go with the guns I’d be hunting with to practice with. 30" bbls. seem to be popular with guys shooting trap at the club where I shoot. Just get a gun that feels comfortable to you and you’ll shoot it better. Also, shooting all 3 with the same gun, you’ll need a variety of chokes so be sure to get one with interchangeable choke tubes. Always wear ear and eye protection and have fun shooting.
I shoot sporting clays and prefer the Ruger Red Label 20 gauge in 28 inch.
Most people like the 12 gauge but I so enjoy watching them as I take the led and hold it with my 20 gauge.
The 28 inch works better for me.
Once I decided to let the air out of group I was shooting with and left my Red Label at home and took my hunting weapon out to play with the sporting clays, it was a Mossberg 500 20 gauge with a 26 inch barrel and only used modified chock only and shot a 48 out of 50 the closest shooter to me shot a 45 out of 50.
The key is not the weapon or the length of barrel, but the skill one has with the weapon.
But what ever you choose as a weapon and gauge I recommend the 28 inch tube, and lot of practice.
If you like a challenge you will love Sporting Clays!
Hope this helps
D58
probably 28 inches with interchangeable chokes
28 to 32 inches
Bound’s hubby here:
You are talking three different games, and to have one shotgun that fits all three is an expensive proposition.
For Trap
Trap is typically a one guage (12) [in registered events] and three event game. Typically, trapshooters shoot 16 yard singles, doubles, and handicap. Here, the minimum barrel length would be 30". Some trapshooters have 34" barreled single-shot trapguns for handicapped events.
For Sporting Clays
This replicates hunting conditions. A 28" or 30" gas-auto shotgun would be most appropriate.
For Skeet
Skeet is a 4 guage event, firing 12, 20, 28, and .410 gauges in registered events. The typical barrel length is 24" or 26". Most serious Skeet shooters purchase a 4 guage/barrel over-under. These shotguns run about $2000 plus, depending upon make and features. A long barrel, you will find, will swing slow in the doubles stage of skeet.
If you are looking at shooting all three games more for fun than serious competition, I would suggest you get a gas-auto such as a Remington 1100 or 11-87 or a Browning Gold with two barrels (26" and 30"). A 30" 12 guage semi-auto can be very competitive in the Sporting Clays and trap. The 30" barrel could prove to become a disadvantage in the handicapped event … but will be very competitive in 16 yard and doubles events!
If you are willing to limit yourself to just Trap and Sporting Clays, a 30" over/under should suffice … but again, you will eventually find a 30" barrel a disadvantage as your handicap distance moves back to the 27 yard line.
If you want an over/under to shoot all three games seriously, you would need a 5 to six barreled set for your over/under that is factory fitted. This would include:
Trap: 30 and/or 34" 12 guage barrels
Sporting Clays: 30" 12 guage barrels
Skeet: 24" or 26" in 12, 20, and 28 guages and .410 Bore
Edited to Add:
* Sporting Clays events in the US are governemd by the National Sporting Clays Association, and their rules emphasize the 12 ga., but allow other gauges, see rules on link: http://www.mynsca.com/image/downloads/2007-NSCA-Rules.pdf , p. 22
* The Amateur Trapshooting Association governs registered tournaments in the US, and "requires" the use of the 12 ga. in registered events, and MANDATES the 12ga in National Competions at the Grand.
* The National Skeet Shooting Association governs registered skeet shoots in the US, and has set the 4 gauge rules.
Good luck!